Automatic train-pipe coupling



J. ROBlNSON 1,709,156

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE COUPLING April 16, 1929.

Original Filed July 1, 1921 2+ 2F q- 5- 23 INVENTOTC WW ax which is adjustably mounted the rear end of UNITED STATES 1,709,156 PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH ROBINSON, OF. NEW YORK, N. Y.

AU'IOIVIA'JJIC TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.

Application filed July 1, 1921, Serial No. 481,967. Renewed November- 23, 1925 This invention relates to automatic train pipe couplingsand particularly to that type in which a spring is threaded through the supporting bracket to permit adjustment of the coupling head toward or from the bracket. It has been vfound diiiicult and er;- pensive to thread the bracket so as'to adjustably receive the spring, thisbecause the dimensions of both the bracket casting andthe spring vary considerably in process of manufacture. High production, and hence economical production, of these parts can be had only by eliminating the need for hand fitting them. It is the object of the present invention' to attain this advantage. 7

My invention resides in the combinations, arrangements, and constructionsv hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvement.

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1 with the coupling head omit-ted,

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the lower end of the bracket with some of the parts omitted. V

Figure 4: is a horizontal sectional view through the lower end of the bracket and the chamber therein. In this View some of the parts are omitted.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan View of a modification of my improvement, and V Figure 6. is a rear viewthereof.

Having reference to the drawings. My improvement comprises a bracket Ahaving a chamber or opening 5 in its" lower end in a coiled supportingspring. The spring-extends through the opening or chamber and for a short distance to the rear of the bracket '8. Within the opening or chamber 5, and

nearer the rear side of the bracket than the front side thereof, Iprovide an inwardly extending flange or projection 6 formed integral with one wall of the chamber and in scribingabout one half the interior circumference of the chamber. The flange preferably extends inwardly at a right'angle to the wall of the chamber and is "shaped to follow and conform substantially to the pitch of the coils of the spring B. The thickness ofthe flange is considerably less than the space between the coils of the spring, while the inside diameter of the chamber 5 is considerably-greater than the inside diameter of the spring B. This arrangement facilitates manufacture and insures that the spring will always enter the chamber, the spring being rotated upon engagement with the flange 6 to permit the flange to enter the space between the spring coils and travel along such coils as the spring is rotated in or screwed through the bracket A. As appears in Figures3 and 4: theflange 6 constitutes an abutment for the spring B, and since it is located near the rear side of the bracket the maximum number of free coils between the flange and the coupling head is obtained, thus permitting greater resiliency' and life to the spring. As aforesaid the fit between the spring and chamber 5 is preferably a loose fit to simplify manufacturing and facilitate interchangeability of these parts.

To clamp or lock the spring in the chamber, and in the desired position, I provide a clamp member 7 having on its inner face a groove or recess 8 shaped to fit and receive that portion of the spring coil which is opposite the portion engaged by the flange, the ring being provided with a'toe 9 which is hooked through an opening lOformed in the bracket at one side of the chamber 5 and in alignment 7 with a semi-circumferential slot 11 which extends through-the wall of the chamber opposite the flange 6. At one end of the slot, and on the lower side of the chamber I provide 2. lug or car 12, and through this, and through a similar car 13 on the clamp 7 I pass a bolt, or other suitable locking device 14 which serves to draw the clamp 7 tightly against the spring B and force the latter against the opposite inner wall of the chamher 5 thus rigidly locking the spring against undesired movement in the chamber. It will be observed that the clamp 7 occupies the slot 11, and cooperates with the flange 6 to form an abutment for the spring B.

' Any desired type of coupling head C may be carried by my improved support and may be connected to the forward end of the spring B in any desired manner. I preferably pro Vide a laterally diverging conduit 15 to which the head is threadinglyconnected and I provide the conduit on its rear side with an annular seat 16 upon which is mounted the forward end of the spring B. To lock this end of spring on this seat I provide the conduit 15 with a stem 17 which extends rearwardly from the seat 16 through the spring Band the chamber 5. Upon the'rear end of this stem Ithreadingly mount a nut 18 having a weighted handle 19 to maintain the nut in the adjusted position; Between the nut and the rear end of the spring B I provide a plate shaped to properly receive the end coil of the spring. By drawing upon the nut 18,

through the medium of its handle 19, the

spring B is placed under compression against the seat 16. This compression is refer-ably suii icient to prevent the coupling head C from rotating out of position about the forward end of the spring.

When it is desired to adjust the coupling head toward or from the bracket-A, the tension of the spring against the seat 16 is relieved by backing off the nut 18, whereupon the bolt 14- is loosened and the springB is rotated in the desired direction in the cham her 5' and about the seat 16. This rotation of the spring will cause it to moveiorward or backward in the chamber, the flange 6 and the clamp 7 following the coils as the spring is thus moved. lVhen the adjustment desired is obtained, which-may be anyextent from able train pipe hose may, of course, be connected to the conduit 15 in the usual way, while the bracket A is attached to the ordinary car coupler lug 21 as by bolts 22 and may have more than one flange 6 if desired.

In Figures 5 and 6 1 illustrate a modification of my improvement in which-the chamber 5 of the bracket A is provided at one side with a laterally extended elongated perforated portion 23 through which is passed a T shaped steel anchordevice D comprising a head 2-1 and afstem 25. The head 24 is provided with grooves or recesses 26 adapted to receive one or more of the coils of the spring B. The stem or shank25 extends across the opening in the chamber 5 and between the coils of the spring B as' shown. At the opposite side of the chamber 5 the stem 'passes through a sleeve 27 formed integ-ral with the chamber 5. A washer or abuttact ment is rigidly connected with the stem 25 and between it and the bottom of the sleeve 27 a coiled spring 29vis placed. A nut 30 having a weighted handle 31 is threaded to the outer end of the stem 25 and serves to draw the anchor device D into tight engagement with the spring B and force the spring firmly against the'inner side of the chamber 5 opposite the elongated portion 23. Conetween the head 24 of the anchor device D, and the inner walls of the portion 23,

' firmly'locks the spring B against longitudinal movement in the chamber 5, as shown at 32 inFigure 5. hen it is desired to adjust the spring B, with this modification of my improvement, the nut 30 is relieved by rotat ing it through the medium or" the handle 31, whereuponthe locking device D is urged out of the locked position by the tension of the spring 29, thus releasing the spring B and permitting the same to be rotated and adjusted in the chamber 5, the spring 13 being caused to move forward or backward in the chamber 5 upon such rotation inasmuch as the coils of the spring are in etfect threadinglyconnected with the locking device D, through the medium of the head 24 and the grooves 26 formed therein. The reverse of this operation firmly locks the spring in the service position. This arrangement comprehends screw means engaging the spring B at one side thereof to adjustably lock'the spring in the chambers.

The present invention is an improvement over the construction shown in my Patent Number 1,666,310 for an improvement in automatic train pipe couplings granted Apr. 17, 1928, the spring B of such construction may,

of course, be adjustably mounted in the collar 11 thereof in the manner herein described, if desired.

l/Vhat I claim is": r

1. In an automatic train pipe connector, a coupling head, a bracket having a horizontally arranged cylindrical chamber rigid therewith, a coiled spring extending 7 from said head rearwardly through said chamber, said chamber having on one side avertically arranged slot extending through the wall thereof, a curved clampingmember arranged in said slot, said clamping member being anchored at its upper end to said braoket,'and means at the lower end of said member for drawing the same into said slot and against said spring, whereby the spring is clamped in said chamber. V

2. In an automatic trainpipeconnector, a coupling head, a bracket havinga horizontally arrangedcylindrical chamber at its lowor end-rigid therewith, a coiled spring extending from said head rearwardly through said chamber, said chamber-on one side having a vertically arranged slot extending through the wall thereof, a clamping member mounted in said slot, said clamping member having a rib on its inner face adapted to lit between the coils of said spring, said chamber opposite said clamping member also having a rib adapted tofit between the coils of said spring,

said clamping member at its upper end being pivotally associated with said bracket, and means engaging the lower end of said member for forcing the same into said slot whereby said spring is clamped in said chamber with said ribs lying between the coils of the spring." r

Y 3.111 an automatic train pipe connector, a

bracket above said chamber, and means engaging said bracket and said clamping 1 member below said chamber for forcing said member into said slot and against said spring. 4

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH ROBINSON. 

